Citizens Say—-

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 531, 7 December 1928, Page 8

Citizens Say —-

(To the GOD SAVE THE KING

Editor.)

Inuring - the war and at all peril vis of national stress the National Anthem is played at the start of all public entertainments. How is it that during the King’s illness this procedure is not carried out at our local theatres? It must be an oversight, but the should call attention to the fact. Who knows but that the thoughts of everyone being directed to the King at that particular time may not be a factor in his recovery? OBSERVER.

MANNERS IN LIFTS

Sir,— I have seen in your columns complaints about men who don’t give up their seats to elderly women and girls in trams. That is bad enough, but I would like to say just a little bit about the behaviour of men in crowded lifts. There is no courtesy there at all. The men push and bustle, and I can tell you it is no fun having a 12-stoner stamping on our lightly-shod feet. Again, most of them keep their hats on. I don’t think it is nice, and I am sure a little bit more thoughtful gallantry would give us nicer notions about men. NANCY N.

POLITICAL PROSPECTS

Sir, — In your leader of the 4th inst., entitled “Political Prospects,” you remark that in the event of your forecast proving correct Sir Joseph Ward “will be given the opportunity to put into practice the elaborate promises upon which he has been elected.” This is quite all right if the readers of The Sun do not take your remarks too seriously, with consequent disappointment to themselves. As a matter of plain truth, no man who knows anything of politics expects a politician to redeem more than about 2 per cent, of his preelection promises. I saw a statement the other day, somewhere or other, to the effect that “a political platform is like a railway platform—something c« get in by, not to stand on.” Such being the case, and every nreeedent gives it support, we should a-t least allow the usual 98 per cent, discount in our expectations of what the new

party may ultimately achieve. TVhy make “tisli of one and flesh of another” when passing judgment upon those elected to office? When all is said and done, the chief aim of any party leader is to get his party in power, and to keep it in office as long as the people will tolerate it. In my own opinion, the surest way to avoid disillusionment is to anticipate the worst. J.M.J.

DIGGERS’ CHRISTMAS TREAT

Sir,—• Would you be good enough to allow me space to appeal to all Diggers who can to help us* by sending along a small subscription toward our Christmas treat to the families of exservicemen who are up against it? Last year we were enabled, through the kindness of a few friends, to take happiness into 24 families, which included over 80 kiddies. This year we are extending our operations, and hope to visit 50 families if funds permit. I ask all Diggers who can spare a “bob” or two to send them along to the Secretary. Box 924, Auckland. I am certain that those who do subscribe will never obtain better value for their money. Wishing ex-servicemen a merry Christmas, and good luck in the New Year I T. 11. DAWSON. President. Auckland Returned Soldiers’ Association.

CONFUSION OF TERMS

Sir, — A confusion of terms seems to be the trouble with “Omnia Vincit Amor," who tries to reconcile his faith with science. “Life is indestructible,” he proclaims to be a scientific fact; it may be the theory of a few scientists, but it is certainly not a proven fact. The basis on which not a few of the sciences are raised is that “matter is indestructible.” The murderer is to be allowed to “face the consequences of his crime in this world” because, by hanging him, one would simply translate him, perhaps to a better plane. But “0.V.A.” overlooks the comparatively large advantage that the “translation” keeps him out of further mischief in this little globe unless he becomes one of those haunting spirits which keep the spiritualists up all hours of the night with their “messages.” HANG ’EM.